Convicting the Innocent
DNA Exonerations Database

Thomas Webb

First Name Thomas
Last NameWebb
Year of Conviction1983
Year of Exoneration1996
State of ConvictionOklahoma
Trial, Bench Trial, or Guilty PleaTrial
Type of CrimeRape
Death SentenceNo
Gender of ExonereeMale
Race of exonereeBlack
JuvenileNo
Types of evidence at trial
  • Eyewitness
  • Forensic Evidence
Type of Forensic Evidence
  • Hair
Types of Flawed Forensics
  • No Transcript – but Vague
Brief Quote / Description of Testimony

According to judicial opinion, analyst had testified that questioned hairs were “consistent with” those of the defendant.

Identity of eyewitness
  • Cross Racial Identification
  • Victim
Suggestive Procedures

No transcript – but his was one of two photos repeated in both black and white and then a color line-up, and the second photo repeated did not match the victim’s description.

Highest level reachedAppeal
Claims Raised During All Appeals and Postconviction
  • Jackson Claim
  • Jury Instructions
  • State Law Evidence Claim
  • Suggestive Eyewitness Identification
Citations to judicial opinions

Webb v. State, 746 P.2d 203 (Okl. Cr. 1987)